What are your hopes for Destination Orkney and the Orkney tourism sector? 

I hope for a continued growth in our membership to ensure we are able to fully support the tourism sector in Orkney.  I hope to see Destination Orkney driving practice in responsible tourism in Orkney to ensure visitors and residents alike continue to enjoy our beautiful islands for decades to come.   

Your favourite place(s) you visit or take your friends and family to visit, in Orkney and why. 

My favourite places right now tend to also be favourite walks for our small dogs along the coast with sheltered spots to get the flask and homebakes out.  I love spotting the wildlife too: seals, sea otters and so many different birds throughout the year. Newark Bay, Deerness, Walkmill Bay, Orphir and the Brough of Birsay walk to the whalebone are fantastic walks. 

What are your hopes for Destination Orkney and the Orkney tourism sector? 

My hopes for Destination Orkney are that we continue to improve as an organisation for the benefit of our members.

Your favourite place(s) you visit or take your friends and family to visit, in Orkney and why. 

The best places in Orkney are definitely the beaches, especially ones where you can hunt for Groatie Buckies!

What are your hopes for Destination Orkney and the Orkney tourism sector?

My hopes for both Destination Orkney and the Orkney tourism sector, is that they will grow hand in hand to create a robust and sustainable future. Through supporting our members to create memorable experiences for visitors to the Isles I would hope that visitors will return time and again to experience the cultural and environmental charms of Orkney.

Your favourite place(s) you visit or take your friends and family to visit, in Orkney and why.

I love walking in all weathers along the wild and spectacular clifftops near my home between Birsay and Costa – part of St Magnus Way. The clifftops are home to seabirds including puffin, razorbills and black guillemot but the greatest excitement comes from the occasional sighting of dolphins and orcas on their way past to and from the Brough of Birsay. A trip to the Birsay tearoom on the way to the Brough and Marwick Head is always special. Fernvalley Tearoom and Wildlife centre is another wonderful place to visit offering tasty veggie fare and its lovely to see the lemurs watching you as you enjoy your lunch! It is also a very handy place to have coffee and cake when waiting to catch the Rousay ferry – essential fuel for a walk down to the very special Mid Howe Broch on Rousay. There are just too many lovely places to mention here.

What are your hopes for Destination Orkney and the Orkney tourism sector? 

I hope that the tourism industry can survive these trying times.  I would like Destination Orkney to proactively encourage people into this sector to help it grow and thrive.  The current situation is unsustainable with no staff and rising costs.  Lobby & pressure on the local authority and associated groups for help with childcare for people who need to work out with Monday – Friday 9-5pm. 

Your favourite place(s) you visit or take your friends and family to visit, in Orkney and why. 

The top of Clestrain in Orphir where you have the most picturesque view of Scapa Flow & the South Isles.

What are your hopes for Destination Orkney and the Orkney tourism sector?

We have an incredible opportunity to grow the Orkney tourism industry by being focused on what we do and how we do it and I hope that Destination Orkney can be at the centre of this growth to help our members share their passion for the benefit of the whole community.  We need everyone to be on board and moving in the same direction and I see Destination Orkney as a key part of getting it right.

Your favourite place(s) you visit or take your friends and family to visit, in Orkney and why. 

When we have friends or family to visit we love to take them out to the many amazing beaches that we have.  Depending on the weather you can always find a sheltered spot and know that you are likely to be the only one on the beach.  Visitors we have always marvel at the space we have, how green the land is and the amazing views we have around every corner.

What are your hopes for Destination Orkney and the Orkney tourism sector? 

Orkney is a world-class destination. So much of what draws visitors is absolutely unique and extremely precious – and yet is incredibly diverse – natural, social, cultural, commercial, historic, technological… – there are endless reasons to visit Orkney. I would love to see Destination Orkney engage everyone right across our community who has a passion they want to share with others, inspire and support us all in practical ways to provide a world-class service to visitors, and grow Orkney’s enviable reputation as a destination for ethical tourism.

Your favourite place(s) you visit or take your friends and family to visit, in Orkney and why. 

A stroll on any of Sanday’s beaches will frequently provide a memorable wildlife encounter or a one-off photo opportunity – I love that even the same walk is a completely different one every day. A day out on mainland Orkney for me isn’t complete without a visit to one of many artisan craft places and independent cafes.

What are your hopes for Destination Orkney and the Orkney tourism sector?

To represent the voices of all of Orkney’s tourism operators from every sphere, and to safeguard Orkney’s built and cultural heritage.  

Your favourite place(s) you visit or take your friends and family to visit, in Orkney and why.

The Brough of Birsay is remarkable all year round and the seas are always spectacular.  History surrounds you there, from the ancient to the modern.

What are your hopes for Destination Orkney and the Orkney tourism sector?

My hopes for Orkney tourism are to sustain and encourage people into the sector who share a passion for all things Orkney.  We need to ensure everyone in the community and the tourism industry has a shared responsibility to look after our assets including those who visiting our beautiful islands now and into the future.

Your favourite place(s) you visit or take your friends and family to visit, in Orkney and why. 

One of my favourite places is the sheltered beach at the 3^rd Churchill barrier at Glimps Holm, a nice walk where my wife and kids love to go and close to where we live.  It is also a great spot for paddleboarding/kayaking to explore some of the block ships from the Wartime.

What are your hopes for Destination Orkney and the Orkney tourism sector?

Tourism businesses that have been devastated by Covid need assistance, advice and leadership to embrace sustainability, ‘recover better’ and proceed to net zero. It’s not just going to happen. We have to make it happen.

Community, circularity, sustainability and innovation will all play a part in the process. Orkney’s innovation in other sectors can help inspire us and inform us as we begin our transformation. Destination Orkney must offer local leadership and motivation.

Your favourite place(s) you visit or take your friends and family to visit, in Orkney and why. 

Shapinsay. I know the island intimately and I love sharing it with others and showing friends and visitors the places I know, the things I have found over the years and, of course, sharing the amazing wildlife and birdlife that live alongside us.

What are your hopes for Destination Orkney and the Orkney tourism sector?

My hopes are that Orkney Tourism continues to thrive whilst focussing on being as sustainable as possible and for the benefit of all.

Your favourite place(s) you visit or take your friends and family to visit, in Orkney and why. 

I really love staying close to home and taking walks to and around the Brough of Birsay. I’m also fond of exploring new places and have a number of islands still to visit.

What are your hopes for Destination Orkney and the Orkney tourism sector? 

TBC 

Your favourite place(s) you visit or take your friends and family to visit, in Orkney and why. 

TBC 

What are your hopes for Destination Orkney and the Orkney tourism sector?

My hopes for Destination Orkney and the Orkney tourism sector are simple, to continue the great work that is currently being carried out, to continue to offer a friendly and welcoming environment for all visitors. We have many return visitors which is a sign of success however we must keep things fresh and continue implementing new facilities for all tourists.

Your favourite place(s) you visit or take your friends and family to visit, in Orkney and why. 

I love taking my visitors all over Orkney, but my favourite place is going to Stromness exploring all the lanes and history they hold. St Magnus Cathedral is also a favourite of mine.